Oak Island removing private flags from public street signs
OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) –The Town of Oak Island says it is not being unpatriotic by removing private flags from public street signs.
On Thursday, October 17, the Town began an effort to remove a number of flags which had been fastened to several street signs along Oak Island Drive. This included several U.S. Flags, as well as other flags supporting various causes.
While the Town says it appreciates the attempt for patriotic display, and in no way discourages personal expression of support to good causes, the unauthorized placement of private materials on a public marker identifying a State or Town roadway is not permissible.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation does not allow such items to be attached to street signs on State-maintained roads, nor is this allowed by Town Ordinances related to signage in the ROW. The removal of the flags is strictly related to their violation of NCDOT regulation and Town Ordinance, and is not the result of individual complaints or political deference.
The Town says it is also important to note that flags affixed to street signage differs from North Carolina General Statutes which regulate political signage placed in the public right-of-way. In such occurrences, political signs in the ROW during an election season have multiple restrictions regarding exact time, duration, and approximate location of their placement [§10.24.5.10.2, §10.24.5.10.2.1, §10.24.5.10.2.2, §10.24.5.10.2.3., §10.24.5.10.2.4., §10.24.5.10.2.5.)
Additionally, though not a determining factor in the Town’s enforcement, it should also be noted the attached U.S. Flags stood in contrast to the advisory standards set by the United States Flag Code itself; with specific regard to nighttime illumination, staff position, placement, and potential damage [§6(a), §7(h), and §8(b)(e)].
Again, the Town of Oak Island recognizes the strong patriotic sentiment. In addition to the many respectful displays conducted by the Town throughout the year, it also encourages the lawful, appropriate display of privately owned materials on personal property, whenever possible. Flags which have been removed from the signage can be retrieved at the Oak Island Town Hall, located at 4601 E Oak Island Drive, during regular business hours of Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
